The Unsurpassed
Dharma King
is matchless throughout
the three realms
and beyond
Teacher of gods
and humans.

Remember
that Âu Lạc is a holy land.
Do you see the map?
Does it look like an “S”?
Do you see
the Tao symbol?
It has a circle
with the letter “S”
in the middle;
one side is white with a black dot
and the other black with a white dot.
These are called
yin and yang.
Âu Lạc looks like that.
By looking at
the geography,
one can tell that
it’s a sacred land with
extraordinary people.

Âu Lạc (Vietnam) is a
country in Southeast Asia
with a history
of over 4,000 years
of civilization.
Since ancient times,
the sacred and beautiful
land of the descendants
of the Dragon King
and Fairy Princess
has been the birthplace
of many enlightened
spiritual practitioners
such as the
Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng,
Great Master
Khuông Việt,
Zen Master Vạn Hạnh,
Zen Master Mãn Giác,
Lý Era’s National Teacher
Nguyễn Minh Không,
Zen Master Từ Đạo Hạnh,
Grand Master Tuệ Trung,
Zen Master Huyền Quang,
Zen Master Pháp Loa,
Trúc Lâm First Patriarch
Trần Nhân Tông,
Zen Master Vũ Khắc Minh,
and Zen Master
Vũ Khắc Trường.

Buddhism, around 300 BCE,
under the reign
of King Hùng III,
was introduced
to Âu Lạc from India.
Since then Âu Lạc has
been graced by the presence
of many venerable
monks and nuns.
Among them were
great sages who
contributed immensely to
the nation’s development
and worked tirelessly
to disseminate
Truth teachings.

The ancestors of Buddhism
were great Zen masters.
When you go home,
read the book “Vietnamese
Zen Masters,”
written by the Venerable
Thích Thanh Từ.
You will learn how
the Aulacese (Vietnamese)
of the past
practiced spiritually,
who the great
Zen Masters were, and
how enlightened they were.

In Âu Lạc, Buddhism reached
its pinnacle in the Lý
and Trần dynasties.
An excerpt from
“A Collection
of Unusual Tales,”
written by eminent scholar

Nguyễn Dữ, describes:
“Those initiated into
monkhood or nunhood
were as many as half of
the general population.
Pagodas were constructed,
more than 10
in large villages,
and about 5, 6
in small villages.”
Pagodas can be found
throughout the nation,
from north to south.
For instance,
northern Âu Lạc has
the One Pillar Pagoda,
built around 1049; the Đậu Pagoda built in the 11th century;
and Perfume Pagoda,
built at the end
of the 17th century.

The Central region has
Celestial Seal Pagoda,
built in 1694;

Từ Đàm Pagoda
built at the end
of the 17th century; and
Heavenly Lady Pagoda,
officially built in 1601.
The Heavenly Lady Pagoda
in the Complex
of Huế Monuments
was recognized by
the United Nations
Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) in 1993 as a
World Cultural Heritage
site.
Southern Âu Lạc has
Sacred Mountain Cave
Temple,
built in the 18th century,
Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda
at the beginning
of the 19th century, and Tây An Temple
in the 19th century.

From the early 20th century
till now,
Buddhism in Âu Lạc
continues to flourish.
According to statistical data by the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam, the number of Buddhists
taking refuge
in the Three Jewels
(Enlightened Master,
Truth, Saintly Assembly)
have reached
nearly 45 million.
The entire nation has over
44,000 monks and nuns,
with more than
14,000 pagodas, temples
and monasteries.
The temple has become
an endearing image
closely connected
to the life of
the Aulacese people,
who go to the temple
to study profound Buddhist teachings,
find inner peace,
and be reminded
of their ancestors’ virtues,
as conveyed in the verses written by
the Most Venerable
Thích Mãn Giác:

“The temple protects
the spirit of the nation,
It’s our ancestors’ way
of life
since time immemorial.”

During a lecture
at the Việt Nam Temple
in Los Angeles,
California, USA
on March 24, 1991,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
expounded on
the purpose and
significance of a temple.

A temple is
an important place.
Why is it important?
It’s important
not because it’s big
but because
it reminds everyone
not to forget his or her
spiritual aspiration.
Therefore, a temple is
a place for you to come
to study Buddhism,
to stand and walk
more dignified.
You must find the monks
to study Truth teachings
so that your mind
develops further.
But you must protect
the temple.

For example,
if you’ve been going there
for a long time,
the temple would inevitably
have wear and tear,
so you should contribute
your effort and material
resources to upkeep it.
First, the temple represents
the long-standing culture
of Âu Lạc (Vietnam);
it represents a great
religion in the world.
Second, it’s there so that
you can have a refuge
for the spirit, and
third, for our children
to have a place to continue
the virtuous traditions
of the Aulacese
(Vietnamese) people.

We are deeply grateful to
Supreme Master Ching Hai
for her
treasured words
and boundless grace
for the nation and the righteous and pious
people of Âu Lạc.

In a foreign land,
I met you some years ago.
Your nun’s robe,
the color of faded brown,
Both worldly life and
renunciation uncertain.
Born with
a headstrong personality,
In a female form,
you endured controversy.

I read the old verse
with nostalgia –
A cheerful line here,
a line of grievance there.
Each polished sentence
Still quietly reflects
your grace and elegance.
When you passed on,
who cried
and who rejoiced?
To whom could you
explain the misjudgments
and turmoil?
Pray to the Three Jewels
on the high abode
May the Awakened Soul
be saved from
the world of sorrow!

Beauty is often ill-fated;
A poet’s hair turns gray
before others’!
Alas! Alas!
At the Buddha’s altar,
I lit a fragrant incense
In reverence
And prayed
to Amitabha Buddha
To take the kindhearted
to the Western Land...
Namo Buddha
Namo Dharma (Teachings)
Namo Sangha
(Assembly of renunciates)
Namo Quan Yin
Bodhisattva Mahasattva!
To take the kindhearted
to the Western Land...

Beauty is often ill-fated;
A poet’s hair turns gray
before others’!
Alas! Alas!
At the Buddha’s altar,
I lit a fragrant incense
In reverence
And prayed
to Amitabha Buddha
To take the kindhearted
to the Western Land...
Namo Buddha
Namo Dharma (Teachings)
Namo Sangha
(Assembly of renunciates)
Namo Quan Yin
Bodhisattva Mahasattva!
To take the kindhearted
to the Western Land...
Namo Buddha
Namo Dharma (Teachings)
Namo Sangha
(Assembly of renunciates)
Namo Quan Yin
Bodhisattva Mahasattva!
To take the kindhearted
to the Western Land...

In today’s program,
we’d like to invite you
to visit One Pillar,
Bút Tháp and
Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagodas,
three famous ancient
temples in northern
Âu Lạc (Vietnam).

Going to the temple
with a lotus branch
Going to the temple
with a lotus branch
Having a meal by the lamp,
planting rice
in the moonlight
Three, four young women
rendezvous with the moon
Befriend the moon
We light the lamp and
play with the moonlight
on the veranda
We pray for
peace and harmony
within and without.

Going to the temple
with a lotus branch
Going to the temple
with a lotus branch
Having a meal by the lamp,
planting rice
in the moonlight
Three, four young women
rendezvous with the moon
Befriend the moon
We light the lamp and
play with the moonlight
on the veranda
We pray for
peace and harmony
within and without.

Going to the temple
with a lotus branch
Going to the temple
with a lotus branch
Having a meal by the lamp,
planting rice
in the moonlight
Three, four young women
rendezvous with the moon
Befriend the moon
We light the lamp and
play with the moonlight
on the veranda
We pray for
peace and harmony
within and without.

Going to the temple
with a lotus branch
Going to the temple
with a lotus branch
Having a meal by the lamp,
planting rice
in the moonlight
Three, four young women
rendezvous with the moon
Befriend the moon
We light the lamp and
play with the moonlight on the veranda
We pray for
peace and harmony
within and without.

Going to the temple
with a lotus branch
Going to the temple
with a lotus branch
Going to the temple
with a lotus branch
Going to the temple
with a lotus branch

You’ve just enjoyed
the northern Aulacese
folk song titled
“Planting Rice”
with vocals and dance
accompaniment
by our vegan
Association members
from northern Âu Lạc,
describing the activities
of the rural young women
under the moonlight,
in rice planting season.
They do not, however,
forget to go to the temple
together to pray for
a peaceful homeland
and happy family.

In the 1000th anniversary
of Thăng Long-Hà Nội,
one of the most
popular tourist attractions
was One Pillar Pagoda.
One Pillar Pagoda
belongs to
the architectural complex
of Diên Hựu Pagoda
in the west of
Thăng Long Citadel
under the Lý Dynasty,
now in One Pillar Pagoda
Street, Ba Đình District,
Hà Nội.
One Pillar Pagoda
is also called Lotus Dais.
According to
“Complete Annals of Đại Việt,”
the pagoda was built
in 1049, during the reign
of Lý Thái Tông.

Legend has it that
King Lý Thái Tông
dreamt of
Quan Yin Buddha
taking him by the hand
onto the lotus dais.
Upon waking up,
the king told the court
about his dream.
Venerable Monk Thiên Tuế
advised him to
construct a pagoda,
erect a stone pillar
in the middle of the lake,
and build a lotus-shaped
dais to worship
Quan Yin Buddha
like what he saw
in his dream.
The entire One Pillar Pagoda
was placed on
a 2-piece stone pillar
which at first sight
looks like one intact
stone pillar.

The temple was
made of wood, including
a square lotus dais
with staircase leading
to the main hall built
of red bricks.
A Quan Yin Bodhisattva
statue is worshiped
inside the temple.
The pagoda’s architecture
and decoration
is the result of
an poetic imagination.
It especially uses a robust
system of propping wood
from the pillars
to the floor, creating
a steady position
while giving an image
of a lotus flower rising
straight, and thus
the pagoda is also called
Lotus Dais.

The architecture
of the One Pillar Pagoda
symbolizes
a noble concept:
Compassion
illumines the world.
The wood and stone
architecture placed
in a setting of a pond
and plants creates a sense
of familiarity,
pure yet elegant.
One Pillar Pagoda
was elected as one of
the symbols of Hà Nội.
Besides, the image of
One Pillar Pagoda was
imprinted on the back
of the coins in Âu Lạc.

On May 4, 2006,
One Pillar Pagoda
was included in the
Aulacese Guinness Book
of Records as
“the pagoda with
the most unique
architecture in Âu Lạc.”
One Pillar Pagoda –
a pagoda in the middle of
a small lake, just enough
space for incense burners
and a statue –
has no wall fence,
no bell tower,
and no triple gate, but is
still majestic in the hearts
of Aulacese people and
remains steady in the
endless course of time.
Bút Tháp Pagoda
is quietly situated by the
Đuống River’s right bank
in Thuận Thành District,
Bắc Ninh Province.

The pagoda was built
during the reign of
King Trần Thánh Tông
by Zen Master
Huyền Quang.
In the 17th century,
the pagoda became famous
with the Abbots being the
Venerable Chuyết Chuyết
and Zen Master
Minh Hạnh.
It was during this time
that Queen mother
Trịnh Thị Ngọc Trúc
left the palace to
practice spiritually here.
Looking at the pagoda
from outside, one first
sees the triple gate.
Next are the two-story,
eight-roof bell tower
and two banyan trees,
all lend the structure
an ancient and
secluded atmosphere.
Bút Tháp Pagoda
has many buildings
separated by open spaces.
Its architecture
isn’t rising vertically,
but spreading out
on the surface.

Various heights
of architectural clusters
make one feel as
if the pagoda
is gently floating
in the Buddha’s realm.
The pagoda roof is quite
large and droops down,
almost touching
the ground level, creating
a warm and cozy space.
The architecture uses
wood frames for support,
but the balcony
foundation is constructed
with stones.
Decorations are seen
everywhere on wood
and stone materials,
on the pillars and altars.
The images engraved
here are lively with
implied meanings
in Buddhism and
profound Zen elements.
Bút Tháp Pagoda has
a very unique system
of round statues.

Most spectacular
is the celebrated
Thousand-Eye,
Thousand-Arm
Quan Yin Bodhisattva
that was carved in 1656.
Aside from the two
main arms placed
on the chest and the legs,
the statue also has 38
big arms on both sides.
The most extended arm
is 2 meters long.
There are 789 smaller
arms in the back that
form a halo for the statue,
with an eye carved
in each of the palms.
The arms symbolize both
Buddha’s merciful light
and his world-saving
mission, and are the eyes
that clearly see and care
for sentient beings.
The statue of
Thousand-Arm,
Thousand-Eye
Quan Yin Bodhisattva
is the iconic symbol
of the hieroglyphic art
of Aulacese Buddhism.

For the rotary tower
of Nine Class Lotus,
nine lotus daises
symbolize 9 levels of
enlightenment in Buddhism.
The tower can rotate
without making
any sound even though
it was constructed
centuries ago.
Each complete rotation
of the tower corresponds
to 3,542,400 recitations
of Buddha’s name.
In 1876, King Tự Đức
passed by this place and
saw a giant stone tower,
thus he named it
Bút Tháp Pagoda.
That is Báo Nghiêm Tower –
an octagonal stone tower
of five levels where
Zen Master Chuyết Chuyết’s
relics were buried.
“Vast sea of green rice
paddy stretches
Stately stands the tower
in moonlit shade
of areca trees
Surrounded by a scenic
landscape all around
An ancient picture
is filled with
mountain and sea.”

Bút Tháp Pagoda
is indeed a unique relic of
Buddhism in the northern
Aulacese plains.
Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda is
located at the confluence
of Lục Nam River
and Thương River
in Bắc Giang Province.
The pagoda existed since
the Lý Thái Tổ dynasty.
In the Trần Thánh Tông
dynasty, many eminent
monks came here
to practice spiritually,
and the pagoda
was rebuilt to become
majestic and splendid.
When leaving the throne
for a monastic life,
before coming to Yên Tử,
King Trần Nhân Tông
stayed at Vĩnh Nghiêm
Pagoda.

He became
the founding Patriarch of
the Aulacese Zen order.
In 1313,
Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda
was officially proclaimed
by Zen Patriarch Pháp Loa
as the headquarters of
Đại Việt Buddhist Order.
Going past the triple gate,
strolling on
the pebble-paved road,
the ancient pagoda
of nearly 1,000 years
emerges behind the pine trees.
The pagoda
was constructed along
the south-east direction,
consisting of
four building blocks.
The first block comprises
of three temples:
Hộ Temple,
Celestial Perfume Palace,
and Upper Hall
with magnificently
constructed altar.

After many restorations,
this area still preserves
its 1,000-year-old
dirt-compacted foundation
and the 700-year-old
nhập nhân tree.
The smaller second block
is the First Patriarch Home
which worships
the portrait statue
of Third Patriarch
Trúc Lâm.
The third block
is the two-level roof
Bell Tower.
The fourth is the Second
Patriarch Home,
the dining hall with
a rather large wooden
Bodhisattva statue.
The highlight of
Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda
is its wooden architecture
with neither complex
nor red-lacquered,
gold trimmed decorations.
The Tả Vu and Hữu Vu
buildings, each has 18
spacious compartments
are where the monks
everywhere come to stay
for their summer retreat
annually.

Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda
used to be a place
to cultivate the Buddhist
monks and nuns,
thus this place
keeps the scriptures
carved on wood panels
of 700 years old.
This is a highly treasured
ancient library, which
people of the past called
the “wood panel scripture
archive.”
The sizes of the wood panels
varies depending
on the scripture.
The largest carved panel
is measured 1 meter long,
and 40 – 50 centimeters
wide.
Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda
along with Yên Tử Temple
and Quỳnh Lâm Temple
form a cluster of
famous landscapes
in northern Âu Lạc:
“Anyone who comes to
Yên Tử and Quỳnh Lâm
The heart is yet tranquil,
has one not reached
Vĩnh Nghiêm.”